Saturday, January 5, 2013

Gwen's Birthday Bash

Gwen's birthday started out with a yummy breakfast of pink pancakes. We put a candle in her stack and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Adam was so concerned about her being so close to fire. He blew her candle out before we had even finished singing. 




I think she was a little confused as to why she was having so many photo moments. Usually she gobbles up anything you put in front of her, but her birthday was a different story. She hardly touched her pancakes and just looked confused all during breakfast. 
 She had her doctors appointment that morning. She loved wandering around the room, but the only way to keep her on the examination table was to feed her her favorite snacks. 
 I spent the afternoon getting ready for her party. I thought things ended up looking pretty cute.


Tessa insisted Gwen had to have a party dress. Thankfully, Target had some good sales after Christmas, so Gwennie got her party dress. 
 We went with a cupcake theme. Gwen got her own cupcake cake. I made Banana Cream Pie cupcakes and Black Forest cupcakes for everyone else. We tried to use the cupcake theme in our decorations.

 Some snacks for our guests. 

 We still don't know why, but Gwen's cake totally freaked her out. She didn't even want to go near it. 
Tessa brought Gwen her cat, Lucky to help cheer Gwen up.

 Almost everyone was able to come celebrate with us. Gwen was again confused as to why everyone was watching her. She did pretty good at opening her presents. She got some fun things!
 Aunt Dee made her a new blanket.
 She loved reading her cards. 
 Getting ready for everyone to arrive!
Mamma's lap-a safe spot with so many boys around.






 The presents seemed to be a hit. And then came the cake. She freaked out and wanted nothing to do with it. She loves treats and is always eating everything we have, so I have no idea why she was so bothered by this cake. I tried and tried, but finally decided not to torture her with it. Hopefully she will like her next cake. 



 She was so traumatized that she even snuggled up with Uncle Matt-that was a first!

 All was good again when she got to play with her new toys, everyone's water bottles, and Ma's cell phone. She called Aunt Gillian twice. 

 We thought we would try things again on Friday and see if she was any happier with her birthday breakfast. She loved her pink pancakes and gobbled them right up!

 She loved playing with her balloons too!
 I thought we would give the cake another shot too, but no such luck. She still doesn't want anything to do with it. Silly, silly girl!

 She was thrilled when we let her have her birthday wish and have free reign of the staircase. Her favorite place to play!


 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Friday, January 4, 2013

12 Months Old!

We did our final monthly photo shoot for Gwen's first birthday. It was much easier now that she can sit and stand! She had her 12 month check up with Dr. Paxton yesterday. She weighs 19 1/2 pounds and is 27 1/2  inches long. Dr. Paxton said she is tiny, but growing fine and perfectly healthy. She is in the 10th percentile for her height and the 25th percentile for her weight. So, she is pretty tiny. Still no teeth-she is our only baby to go this long without getting any teeth. 
She loves everything she isn't supposed to have. Her most favorite thing to do is go up and down the stairs while someone holds her hand. She loves cell phones, cameras, and remote controls. She is usually a pretty good eater and is doing better on her sleeping. She is still nursing and loves her binky and her favorite blanket. 
She loves baths, reading books, and dancing to music. She does her best to keep up with Adam and Tessa and she does a good job of it. She is always so happy to see them in the morning. 
We waited so long to get her here and she has been a joy to have each day this past year. She was worth the wait!! 
Happy First Birthday Gwen!








Thursday, January 3, 2013

Gwen's 1st Birthday!

 Today our beautiful Gwen turned one! I can't believe how fast this last year has gone by. Gwen has been such a fun baby and I have loved every minute of having her around. There has been a different relationship I have had with each of my babies, and with Gwen I have always felt such a closeness with her. 
We have been so excited for her big day and I have been planning and preparing for days. We had her big party tonight, but it kind of was a bust. Part of me wants to cry, but part of me figures that's how memories are made. If everything always went perfect, you wouldn't remember most things in your life. Gwen has been very clingy the last 2 days, and filling our house with all of her Uncle's tonight, didn't help. She wasn't a huge fan of being the center of attention and for some reason, the cake I made for her totally freaked her out and she wouldn't touch it. So, not the best party. At least she will know that I tried and that she is loved because so many people came to celebrate with us!
This picture pretty much sums up her party...not the best, but it made everyone laugh!
We love you sweet Gwennie! Happy, Happy Birthday!!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!

We had a fun and happy New Year's Day! We watched the Rose Parade, Mommy and Daddy got to go on a date, the kids had fun playing with Ma and Pa, and we had our traditional Pennsylvania New Year's dinner. The best part of the day was at bedtime, when I got to snuggle with all 3 of my babies and read a few bedtime stories. Grandma Lemley always used to tell us that whatever we did on New Year's Day, we would do the rest of the year. I hope she is right, cause I love reading with these kiddos!
Happy New Year!